New York Jets star running back Breece Hall was confronted by an angry autograph seeker at Newark Airport last Sunday as he returned home from Super Bowl week in Vegas.
Breece Hall Speaks Out After Fan Harassed Him at Airport
After a week in Las Vegas leading up to the Super Bowl, the Jets’ star running back touched down at Newark Liberty International Airport, where he ran into a fan at baggage claim asking for his autograph.
For whatever reason, Hall preferred not to sign, and things took an ugly turn.
During the encounter, the autograph seeker got aggressive with Hall. The situation got so tense that legendary New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks, who happened to be on the same flight as Hall, intervened, putting his body between Hall and the fan.
Awful:#Jets standout Breece Hall was harrssery by a crazy autograph seeker at the Airport.
😳#Giants legend Carl Banks got between Hall and the "fan,” saying Breece was simply going about his own affairs when the individual began hassling him
(🎥TMZ)
pic.twitter.com/aT5FEZI2ld— MLFootball (@_MLFootball)
Witnesses, including Carl, say Breece was minding his own business, and the fan was harassing his group. That is when the video picks up.
“So, be a man. If you’re gonna slap me, slap me!” the fan can be heard yelling at Hall.
Banks, 61, then intervened, the former linebacker putting his 6-foot-4 frame in between Hall and the fan to de-escalate the situation.
At one point, another witness off-camera is heard warning the angry man, “It’s a federal crime if you get in a fight at the airport.”
The fan kept jabbing at Hall, who seemed to remain calm. As the man finally walked away from Hall and Banks, he let out insults.
Breece later addressed what happened on his X account.
“If you know me you know I always show love!!! There’s a time and a place for everything but harassing me at baggage claim ain’t the time or place. Thankfully Carl and my guy Joe were there to keep anything from happenin,” he posted.
When asked why he stepped in to help Hall, Banks told TMZ he didn’t want to stand by and let the star get messed with.
KEEP READING: New York Jets Depth Chart
Hall, a 2022 second-round pick, had a productive season, exceeding expectations after a torn ACL ended his rookie campaign after seven games. He was the Jets’ leading rusher with 994 yards and five touchdowns.
In the team’s season finale against the Patriots on Jan. 7, he ran 37 times for 178 yards, highlighted with a game-winning 50-yard touchdown.
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